State Veteran Burial Allowance Increases for 2024

What Changed With State Veteran Burial Allowances in 2024?

Several states raised their veteran burial allowance amounts in 2024 to keep pace with rising funeral costs. These increases vary by state, but the trend is clear: legislatures are recognizing that previous reimbursement caps left families paying thousands out of pocket. If you're planning a funeral for a veteran or handling estate matters, knowing the current rates in your state can save your family significant money.

A state veteran burial allowance is a financial benefit paid to help cover funeral and burial costs when a veteran dies. This is separate from the federal VA burial benefit, which currently pays up to $2,000 for service-connected deaths and $948 for non-service-connected deaths (as of 2024). State programs sit on top of the federal benefit, though some states coordinate their payments with what the VA already provides.

Which States Increased Their Burial Allowances in 2024?

While not every state changed its rates, the following are notable updates:

New York increased its supplemental burial allowance for wartime veterans. The state now provides up to $6,000 for eligible deaths, up from prior caps. Families in New York should contact their county veterans service agency to file a claim.
Illinois raised its veterans burial allowance to $2,000 for indigent veterans and expanded eligibility for certain peacetime service members who were previously excluded.
California adjusted its program under the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), offering up to $2,500 for qualifying veterans, with additional funds available for those who died in state veterans homes.
Massachusetts increased its reimbursement for veterans' burials to $2,000 and simplified the application process so families can file claims faster.
Minnesota expanded its burial allowance to $2,000 and added coverage for cremation services that were previously partially excluded.
Ohio raised its allowance for eligible veterans to $1,000, and the state now covers burial plot costs more broadly for qualifying families.

These changes were driven by the rising cost of funerals nationwide. The median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in the United States is now over $8,000 according to the National Funeral Directors Association. State allowances don't cover the full cost, but every increase helps.

How Is the State Allowance Different From the Federal VA Benefit?

The federal VA burial benefit and your state's burial allowance are two separate programs with different eligibility rules. The federal benefit is paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and applies nationwide. State benefits are funded and managed by individual state governments, usually through a department of veterans affairs or a military department.

Key differences:

Federal VA benefit: Requires a DD-214, proof of honorable discharge, and an application (VA Form 21P-530). Amounts depend on whether the death was service-connected.
State benefit: Each state sets its own eligibility criteria, benefit amount, and application process. Some states require residency; others require that the veteran was a resident at the time of death or had been a resident for a minimum period.

You can receive both the federal VA benefit and your state's allowance. They are not mutually exclusive in most states. However, some states reduce their payment by the amount the federal government already paid, so check with your state's veterans affairs office to understand how the two interact.

For veterans who served in the Coast Guard, there are specific memorial service benefits worth reviewing, which differ slightly in how eligibility is determined based on Coast Guard service classifications.

Who Qualifies for a State Burial Allowance?

Eligibility rules differ by state, but common requirements include:

The veteran received an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.
The veteran met minimum active-duty service requirements, which vary by state (some require as little as one day of active duty; others require 90 days or more).
The veteran was a resident of the state at the time of death or had maintained residency for a set number of years.
The claim is filed within the state's deadline, which can range from one year to several years after the date of death.

Some states also have special rules for wartime versus peacetime veterans, veterans with disabilities, and those who were indigent at the time of death. Vermont, for example, has specific eligibility requirements for its memorial service program that applicants should review before filing.

How Much Money Are We Actually Talking About?

To put these amounts in perspective:

Low-range state allowances: $300–$800 (some Southern and Midwestern states still fall here)
Mid-range allowances: $1,000–$2,500 (this covers the majority of states)
Higher-end state benefits: $3,000–$6,000+ (New York, some counties in Pennsylvania, and a few others)

Combined with the federal VA benefit, families can potentially receive between $1,300 and $8,000 or more in total government burial assistance. This doesn't include other VA benefits like a free headstone or marker, a burial flag, or a presidential memorial certificate. If you need to apply for a government-furnished headstone, the application process varies by state and should be started early.

What Does the Allowance Actually Cover?

State burial allowances generally cover:

Funeral home services (embalming, preparation, viewing)
Casket or urn costs
Burial plot or columbarium niche
Transportation of remains
Cremation fees
Grave opening and closing costs

Some states pay a flat amount regardless of actual costs. Others reimburse documented expenses up to a cap. Oregon's program, for instance, covers several of these categories and families should review the full overview of Oregon's veteran memorial service programs to understand what qualifies.

What Are Common Mistakes Families Make?

Not applying at all. Many families don't know their state offers a burial allowance. The money goes unclaimed every year because survivors assume there's nothing available or don't know where to look.

Missing the filing deadline. States enforce time limits. If you wait too long, you lose the benefit permanently. Check your state's deadline as soon as possible after the veteran's death.

Assuming the federal benefit is the only option. The VA benefit gets most of the attention. State programs fly under the radar, especially in states where the allowance was recently increased or expanded.

Not having paperwork ready. You'll need the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers), death certificate, funeral receipts, and sometimes proof of state residency. Tracking down the DD-214 can take weeks, so start the process early. If the DD-214 is lost, the National Archives can help locate it.

Overlooking parish or county-level benefits. Some states have additional local programs. Louisiana, for example, has parish-level funeral expense coverage that many families don't know about. You can learn more about Louisiana's parish-based veteran funeral expense coverage to see if extra funds are available.

How Do I Apply for My State's Burial Allowance?

Identify your state's administering agency. Usually this is the state Department of Veterans Affairs, the state Military Department, or a similar office. Your county or city veterans service office can also help.
Gather required documents. Typically you need the DD-214, a certified death certificate, itemized funeral bills, and proof of your relationship to the veteran (if applying as a family member).
Complete the application. Most states offer a downloadable form on their veterans affairs website. Some now accept online submissions.
Submit within the deadline. File as soon as you can. Don't wait until the funeral is over and bills are already past due.
Follow up. State offices can take weeks or months to process claims. Call or check the status periodically to make sure nothing is missing.

What If My State Doesn't Have a Burial Allowance?

A handful of states do not offer a standalone burial allowance program. If yours is one of them, focus on maximizing the federal VA benefit and look into county-level or charitable programs. Veterans service organizations like the VFW, American Legion, and DAV sometimes offer emergency financial assistance for funeral costs.

Also check whether the veteran qualifies for burial in a state or national veterans cemetery. VA national cemeteries provide the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a perpetual care at no charge to the family.

Quick Checklist: What to Do Right Now

Find your state veterans affairs office online or by phone and ask about current burial allowance amounts for 2024.
Locate the veteran's DD-214. If you don't have it, request it from the National Archives immediately.
Get certified copies of the death certificate (you'll need multiple copies for different claims).
Ask the funeral home for an itemized statement of all charges some states require this specifically.
File the federal VA burial benefit claim (VA Form 21P-530) and the state claim at the same time.
Check for county, parish, or local veterans organization assistance on top of state and federal benefits.
Note all filing deadlines and set reminders so you don't miss them.

Starting this process within the first few weeks after a veteran's death gives you the best chance of receiving every dollar your family is owed. The amounts may not cover everything, but combined federal, state, and local benefits can take a real edge off funeral costs that average well above what most families expect.